Being connected is not the same as being at your desk.

Video Conferencing has changed the way we communicate. It has many benefits, making people feel more connected and engaged, enabling people to see one and other as if they were in an office meeting room without the commute. However this has become the default method of communication for many people who work remotely. What happened to the good old phone call?

I am a true believer that a phone call is sometimes a great way to communicate. The same way we’ve done for years and years. The same way you speak to most of your friends and family on an evening or weekend.

But what if you want the best of both worlds? This is where the MS Teams or Zoom mobile apps come in. By using these apps as a “soft phone,” you can call colleagues directly from your work directory and have a conversation just like a traditional phone call — no video required.

For me this is a great way to have conversations or catch ups without the need to be chained to my desk or webcam. Using a traditional phone call is less formal, more relaxed and you are more free to be anywhere you please. You can be out for a walk, in the garden or even just relaxing on the sofa.

My takeaways from this

  • Choose a meeting where it’s a 1:1 conversation. 🤝
  • Take a meeting where being on video is not required. 🚫📹
  • Use the mobile app to call your colleague for a catchup. 📱☎️
  • Ensure the meeting won’t require a screen share or recording. 🛑💻

Once you figure out when a phone call is appropriate you’ll be glad of the benefits. I’m sure colleagues will begin to follow your lead and try it for themselves. It’s all about breaking the normal cycle of video calls and trying something new.